Confirmed: Marvel’s Netflix Shows Will Be Part of The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Because not even news of a Justice League movie will slow them down, the Marvel camp has dropped a very reassuring tidbit about their upcoming slate of Netflix shows, currently being dubbed the “Defenders Saga” among fans. One of the biggest questions surrounding the upcoming series is: Is it part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Today, we get an answer, thanks to Marvel Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, who recently guested on Kevin Smith‘s Fat Man on Batman podcast and said, yes, they’re part of the MCU: “There will be some inter-connectivity, much like the movies. They will exist within the cinematic universe again, so this is all the same world as S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.”

In regards to the tone of the series, Quesada added, “Although these are superhero stories, this is different now. This is the street level… this is the street level noir side of the Marvel Universe. Something that you haven’t really, really seen in any of our Marvel movies. And probably more ground level, than I think you’ve seen. This is not like us doing Batman, Dark Knight or any of that stuff. This is very Marvel doing street level superheroes.”

Considering one of the major things that has always separated Marvel and DC is Marvel’s push for more grounded heroes rather than myth-building ones like Superman and Batman, this makes complete sense and really ups the excitement level for the first series in the run, Daredevil. There’s still no word on the time period of the series, which is something that’s been up for debate, as the Hell’s Kitchen of today is not what it was when these comic book series were originally conceived.

It’s been a long road for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. When it first came on the scene last September, it was met with an initially mixed reaction. But, as with many projects that contain the Whedon name, over time, the Marvel television experiment become something really special. As we got deeper into the psychological trauma happening with Coulson and his cheating of death after The Avengers, the more interesting the character became to watch, especially as he led his team of agents that couldn’t be more different.

And now we can finally say, officially: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is coming back for a second season!

No, we’re not playing some evil Hydra trick on you, Team Coulson isn’t done just yet, and thank God — have you guys seen the craziness that’s happening out there? I mean, there’s man-things floating around somewhere, you guys. Man-Things!

But that’s not all!

So, remember that Agent Carter show that’s been floating around the ether? You know, the potential limited series event that would star Hayley Atwell as her infamous Captain America: The First Avenger character? Well, ABC has given it the official green light for next season as well. The exact premiere date of the series is currently TBD, but rumor is it will serve as a filler for the break Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will take between the fall and spring of next season.

Even though it’s been rumored for quite some time, it looks like producer Lauren Shuler Donner, while speaking with Total Film magazine at the premiere of X-Men: Days of Future Past, has confirmed that the Cajun mutant Gambit will indeed be appearing on the big screen soon, tossing kinetically charged playing cards at bad guys, and that the part will by played by none other than Channing Tatum.

Just how and where we will be seeing the character of Gambit is still the question though. Earlier reports were that Tatum would get a solo movie as Remy LeBeau, but that doesn’t seem too likely at this point. Far more likely is Channing Tatum being part of the X-Men proper in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse, which is scheduled to come out in May 2016. Director Bryan Singer has already hinted that among the new mutants joining the team in Apocalypse would probably be Nightcrawler and Gambit, joining the already confirmed children of the atom, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm. I suppose if audiences really take to this new version of the character, a spin-off movie might be possible somewhere down the line. Having a star like Tatum though would only help increase the visibility of X-Men: Apocalypse, especially with female audiences.

The character of Gambit was already confirmed to be around during the 1980′s (which is where we assume the bulk of X-Men Origins: Wolverine took place, which yes, is still in continuity regardless of whether or not it sucks) which is when X-Men: Apocalypse will also be set. Sadly, this probably precludes a romance with longtime X-Men love interest Rogue, I’m afraid, at least if the timeline is to be adhered to. Sorry all you Rogue and Gambit shippers. Having Tatum as Gambit would be a far smarter casting choice for the character, if only because Tatum has seen his star power rising steadily these past few years (Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street) while the previous Gambit, Taylor Kitsch, has headline a strong of high profile box office flops like John Carter and Battleship. If indeed the character is going to be included, then the smart money’s on Tatum.

UPDATE: Variety has confirmed this as true. Charlie Cox will play Daredevil in the upcoming series.

The Marvel news train has apparently become the “villain” from Tony Scott’s Unstoppable as it continues to barrel down the tracks of internet insanity. It began last Friday when it was announced that Edgar Wright had left the Ant-Man film he’d been developing for nearly eight years, an announcement that was later followed up with rumors that the director left the project over various re-writes that were made to the original script created with Joe Cornish. The train then rolled through Saturday when it was revealed Drew Goddard was stepping down from the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Daredevil to focus his attention on Sony’s Sinister Six. In his place, fellow Whedon-school alum Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus) took over as showrunner. Now, in relation to Daredevil, a new rumor comes courtesy of the folks over at Latino-Review.

There’s been much speculation over who would play the man without fear, the most high-profile name in the mix being Michael C. Hall, who’s on the hunt for a new project now that Dexter is over. Today, the outlet reports Boardwalk Empire’s Charlie Cox is the frontrunner to play the blind superhero. El Mayimbe does state in his report the news is currently unconfirmed but comes from a trustworthy enough source to post.

Without knowing the tone Marvel Television is going for, it’s hard to say if Cox is the right choice for the part, but he definitely fits the Marvel bill of not having a major break-out roll yet, despite having an extensive body of work. Honestly, at this point, when it comes to casting we should just let Marvel do its thing because they haven’t screwed up once so far on that front.

Has Marvel found its Mad Titan? Latino Review is reporting and Variety has confirmed that No Country For Old Men star Josh Brolin has been cast as Thanos for Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to the report, Thanos – teased in the first Avengers post-credits sequence – has a third-act scene involving a rocket throne. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds like just the kind of grandiose thing that a purple god obsessed with death might tool around on.

Brolin, last seen in Spike Lee’s remake of Oldboy, would make for an interesting Thanos. He’s definitely got the bass in his voice as well as enough swagger to bring to the part should any motion capture be needed. If the rumor is true, this would make two big screen comic roles for Brolin in 2014 alongside his part as Dwight in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For from director Robert Rodriguez.

At this point, we’ve all be assuming that Thanos will be the villain of Avengers 3, which can’t be too far off the mark given how Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The First Avenger have teased cosmic artifacts that could potentially end up on a hypothetical Infinity Gauntlet. For those of you not familiar with that particular piece of reality-altering bling, the Gauntlet is a glove containing six gems which give the wearer control of all creation. During the mid-90s Infinity Gauntlet event, Thanos, set on impressing the personification of Death, set out to collect the Infinity Gems and wipe out have of creation for his skeletal love.

Since the Avengers sting, we haven’t seen anything from the character and footage for Guardians of the Galaxy up to this point have positioned Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser as the main heavy in that film (although Marvel has confirmed Thanos would make an appearance in some way). With this casting Thanos could be making himself known in a bigger way throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward.

The most dangerous place for a woman to be in the Marvel Universe is next to Matt Murdock, a/k/a Daredevil. I’m betting whatever character Rosario Dawson is playing in the upcoming Netflix series will find that out firsthand.

The Sin City and Trance actress has joined the cast of the Netflix original series as “dedicated young woman whose quest to heal the wounds of Hell’s Kitchen brings Matt Murdock unexpectedly crashing into her life, while her own journey forever alters the course of his battle against the injustices of this broken city.”

Whether this is an existing character or an original one remains to be seen. But here’s my hope: she’s in some way, shape, or form Elektra. Never mind that the character is Greek – Dawson has the physicality for the role and I’d love it if she was playing something more than one of Matt’s doomed girlfriends*, and given that Marvel has the rights for the character back after she was treated so… roughly at Fox, this would be a great way to reintroduce her to audiences.

Who knows? She could also be private eye Dakota North, or Matt’s ex-wife Mia. Here’s hoping she’s not Karen Page, though.

Marvel’s Daredevil follows the journey of Matt Murdock, who was blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, now fighting against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero Daredevil in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.”

*In order of superhero dudes you don’t want to date (because you will die or your life will be horrible): Daredevil, Wolverine, Batman, and Animal Man. If you realize you’re dating one of these characters, politely excuse yourself, leave immediately, change your name, and move six states away.

Arrow Targets Brandon Routh to Play Major DC Comics Superhero in Season 3

Brandon Routh is set to play another DC Comics super man — this time on Arrow.

The erstwhile Man of Steel is joining the CW hit’s third season in the recurring role of Ray Palmer, aka DC superhero The Atom, TVLine has learned exclusively.

An unparalleled scientist and inventor, Ray will play an unexpected role in the lives of Oliver and (rumored love interest) Felicity as the new owner of Queen Consolidated. Palmer’s plans for Queen Consolidated’s Applied Sciences Division will be shrouded in mystery.

In addition to his myriad comic book appearances, Ray/The Atom — who can alter the size of his body as well as Brandon Routh Arrow The Atomother objects — has turned up in numerous animated series, including, most recently, Cartoon Network’s Young Justice. Arrow marks one of the character’s rare live-action incarnations.

Déjŕ vu watch: Although The Atom isn’t able to fly like Superman, he can simulate flight a la Wonder Woman.

Recently, we told you that Superman Returns star Brandon Routh and Sin City actress Devon Aoki had joined the cast of CW hit series Arrow as Atom and Katana, respectively. But what’s happening on the casting front of Arrow new-born sibling spin-off, The Flash? Well, as of this morning, things just got even more intertwined from the familial perspective as The Tomorrow People star – and younger cousin of Arrow lead Stephen Amell – Robbie Amell has officially joined the cast in a recurring role as Ronnie Raymond, a/k/a ˝ of Firestorm, the atomic-powered, matter-changing superhero extraordinaire.

According to Deadline, “[Raymond] is a maintenance worker at S.T.A.R. Labs and Dr. Caitlin Snow’s fiancé who plays an integral part in the particle accelerator accident that transforms Barry Allen into The Flash.” Currently, there’s no word on the inclusion of Raymond’s Firestorm second half, Martin Stein.

So let’s just get this out of the way because we all know you’re wondering: no, we don’t know if or when Robbie and Stephen will share screen time together, but they have to, right? That’s just too good of an opportunity to pass up. Wouldn’t that make for just the most awesome crossover event? Can anyone else say sweeps?

ARROW Casts Vinnie Jones as Major Supervillain for Season 3As the title suggests, this post contains spoilers for Arrow’s third season. You have been warned!

In what is probably the most spot-on casting since Patrick Stewart as Professor X, it has been announced that British tough guy actor and former football bruiser Vinnie Jones has been cast to play crime lord Danny “Brick” Brickwell on this season of The CW’s Arrow. Brick will have a three-episode arc in the middle of the season (episodes 10, 11, and 12), following the mid-season premiere episode 9.

In the comics, Brick is a metahuman who has reddish skin that makes him basically impervious to physical harm. In the TV show, even though metahumans are now a thing thanks to The Flash‘s particle accelerator explosion, he’s going to just be a guy who can’t seem to die even though he’s been shot several times. If you think that sounds slightly familiar, than you are thinking correctly; Jones played underworld enforcer Bullet-Tooth Tony in Guy Ritchie’s 2000 film Snatch. And, of course, there’s that whole thing when Jones played the Juggernaut (bitch) in 2006′s X-Men: The Last Stand.

Brick was introduced into the comics during Green Arrow‘s early 2000s renaissance thanks to writer Judd Winick and artist Phil Hester and was letter used extensively during Andrew Kreisberg’s tenure as writer on the series later in the decade. Kreisberg is, of course, the current Executive Producer and one of the head writers of Arrow, and the character had already been teased back in Season One as a name in Oliver’s now-forgotten book of names of people who failed the city.

Brick is just another in a line of DC characters joining Arrow this year. We’ve already seen Ray Palmer (the Atom) but we’ll eventually see Wildcat, Captain Boomerang, Cupid, Manhunter, and of course, Ra’s al Ghul before the season’s up.

Having played a younger Charles Xavier for four years now, it was always a question on when James McAvoy would don the bald head of the Professor. That day looks to be today in preparation for X-Men: Apocalypse.

Over at director Bryan Singer's instagram and with the simple caption of "Xavier reborn in process", we see McAvoy being sheared and shaved bald for the first time.

When we talked to series star Charlie Cox about the second season of the Marvel/Netflix Daredevil show, he expressed his wishes for what he wanted to see. “I’d like to see Punisher maybe show up, a little bit of Elektra maybe. I wouldn’t mind Black Widow making an appearance, and you can’t think about Daredevil for too long without thinking of Bullseye.” Well, one out of three isn’t bad so far, as Jon Bernthal is showing up as Frank Castle AKA The Punisher.

Bernthal, still best known for The Walking Dead, will play the Marvel favourite, a tough vigilante who has his own ideas about cleaning up crime, no matter how lethal his methods. When he arrives in Hell’s Kitchen, you can bet he’ll butt heads with Matt Murdock.

“Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences,” Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television says on Marvel’s site as part of the announcement. “Castle’s appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same.” He’s not wrong about the casting – Bernthal seems like a great choice for the character, inheriting a screen mantle that has been shouldered by Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson in the past.

On the big screen, Bernthal has long proved his versatility, cropping up in movies as diverse as The Wolf Of Wall Street, Grudge Match, Rampart and World Trade Center. He has several films on the way, with We Are Your Friends landing August 28, Me And Earl And The Dying Girl due September 11 and Sicario out September 25. He’ll also be seen in The Accountant, Pilgrimage and Shot Caller.